High Mileage e60

[Sparkzz]

I'm currently in the market for an e60 (530/535d)

Most likely to be a 530d by the choice of whats out there. Would I be doing myself a bad turn by spending ~2k less on 140k car than a 100k car?


EDIT: I'm also considering an e65 - would I see much detriment in fuel economy this way due to the added weight etc?

Edited by Sparkzz on Saturday 27th September 19:20

[Sparkzz]

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be avoiding the pre LCI 535; high 20's MPG doesn't fit the bill very well. Realistically I've got 10 grand to spend as an absolute maximum. If I can't get an LCI for that I think I'll be hunting down a 7 series.

On the other hand, anyone know what an e92 335d coupe would do MPG wise, and is the e92 a worthy contender to an e60?

Edited by Sparkzz on Sunday 28th September 20:02

[Sparkzz]

I've got a fair bit of experience buying used cars, all be it around 1 - 2k.
Usually if there something not right, its best to walk away, when the dealers start "sorting" things, it usually means its been traded in for a very good reason and its a total pig underneath.

This is just my experience - I'm actually more keen on private buying now, especially when you meet someone genuine with a big book of history.

I'm saying I've got 10 grand - to be fair I don't really want to part with that amount unless its something special. My dad got an e61 recently, a 520d, off a very good friend, for 3.5k and it's got full service history and new turbo and dpf. I'm going to end up paying twice that!

[Sparkzz]

drmark said:

Two other areas worth checking. The DPF and whether the sump on the gearbox is leaking (it is plastic and often cracks with time). Did 100k in my E61 before trading up to F11 and gearbox leak was only issue I had besides tailgate loom fraying and replacing two thermostats as car was running cold (both common problems - Google for more info).
[/footnote]

Is it really true the build quality went downhill post e39?

[Sparkzz]

The stuff between 2k and 15k doesn't seem to interesting. I can't understand why 3 series coupe' seem to be more expensive than a 5 series. Maybe its the aesthetic of them.

[Sparkzz]

gizlaroc said:

I definitely think buying privately is far less risky than buying a car from a dealer in this bracket.

Totally lost faith in dealers, especially that "I'll put a years MOT on it" usually means you get a sheet of lies from some back street garage.

Struggling to find an e60 from a private seller within a 50 mile radius of home. Private sellers seem to have all picked beige with cream leather.

Then again I am in the woolybacks.